peppermint to be // bronnie

iii

Brandon doesn't come in at his usually time. He came in during one of our dead hours and the shop was empty. I didn't want to appear jittery in front of Dave, I didn't want to let on that he was inching towards correctness.

"Hey, Ronnie," Brandon said smoothly, sliding up to the counter.

I wanted to die, I wanted to flop onto the floor like a bag of cheap coffee beans and twitch until my slow death takes over me. It was so weird to hear him say my name. I didn't know I could like the way someone said my name.

"What can I get for you?" I choked out.

"Suprise me," he replied unexpectedly.

I wanted to cry, but outwardly smirked at him as if I could casually handle any type of interaction that even seemed like flirting. "Are you sure?" I asked, wanting it to sound sly, but it came out with too much concern.

He chuckled, "yeah."

I grabbed a cup and made my way to Dave. "Brandon wants you to surprise him."

He raised an eyebrow at me. "Gee, you seem so concerned for a guy who does not like him."

"I just -- want to please the customers, Dave."

He yanked the cup out of my hand, "so we will, we're gonna please him so fucking hard."

Then, it became clear that in the whole 15+ years we've kept the shop open, we have not a single idea what the hell we're doing.

Dave began to make a concoction that was a blend of our hot chocolates. "Dave, it's gonna be too sweet," I winced.

"Quit your bitching, he's gonna love it, just look at him, he's clearly been living in Willy-Wonka's factory since birth, he can handle a little sweet, he looks like sweets."

"Gay."

"Hey, I am a human with eyes, anyone can see that he looks like the human form of a marshmallow. I just don't want to fuck the marshmallow, unlike some people..."

I blushed, which gave Dave some kind of satisfaction. He continued making his science experiment and I periodically looked over my shoulder to check on Brandon. He just stood at the counter, scrolling through his phone. I hated how Dave right was about everything.

Dave put a cover over the drink. "Alright, all done, tell him it's exclusive from the chief," he said, his words slowly descending into a French accent.

I grabbed it and nodded at him before taking a deep breath and walking to the counter. "Exclusive from the chief," I managed, setting the drink by Brandon.

"Oh yeah?" Brandon said looking up from his phone. He clicked it off and slid it in his pocket. "What is it?"

My heart began racing as he picked up the cup. "I'm not allowed to say."

He took a sip and I swear my body paused. Suddenly, his face lit up. "Oh wow! This is really good!"

Okay, so Dave was the greatest man in the universe. "I'm glad you like it," I smiled.

"And I'm the only one who's had this?"

"Yup, and you're probably going to remain the only one."

"Wow, why me, though?"

His cheeks were turning a bit pink and I was melting with the innocence he radiated. "I guess it's just your lucky day."

He looked like he suddenly realized something. "I didn't pay you!"

"You don't have to -- it's our treat." I looked back at Dave who was already glaring at me.

"Gee, thanks! You guys are amazing!"

I felt like my body was on fire. I knew it was a comment directed towards both Dave and me, but it was still enough to make me feel crazy. I wanted to tell him that he was amazing, so he deserved it. "Like I said, it's your lucky day," I said instead.

"Well," he sipped the drink, "I better get going."

"Oh, are you sure?" I was such a desperate fuck.

"Uh, yeah -- I'll see you tomorrow, though!"

Tomorrow. It was so far away. "Okay, sure."

"Thanks again for everything!" He began heading towards the door.

"No problem." I was waving, a true tragic sight of someone who had a ridiculous school-girl crush.

As soon as he walked out the door I felt the need to see him again. What was wrong with me.

"Asshole, you're lucky I'm a better wingman than coffeeshop owner -- we can't give free custom drinks to ever cute dude who comes in here."

I don't know why, but an intense gay wave washed over me. "He's the only cute boy who comes in here. And he's the cutest boy I've ever seen."

"I'm gonna vomit."

I didn't even care that I was creeping Dave out, which was definitely saying something. That's what Brandon was doing to me.